Rowdy Gaines: I Stand With Michael Phelps; I’m Fighting Too
During the World Championships, Olympic gold medalist and NBC Sports analyst Rowdy Gaines issued criticism of USA Swimming while Olympic legends Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte posted an image depicting a funeral from USA Swimming. These comments received backlash, including from members of the U.S. team. Now, Gaines has responded with an editorial provided to Swimming World.
Let’s be honest — when Michael Phelps speaks, the swimming world should listen.
So when he posted a meme last week showing a tombstone for USA Swimming with the words, “Call it a funeral, or call it a fresh start. We’ve got 3 years,” that wasn’t for clicks. It was a message. A challenge. A wake-up call from the greatest swimmer…no, the greatest athlete in history.
And I stand with him.
When someone like Michael Phelps speaks up, it’s worth listening, not because of the medals, but because few people understand this sport’s heartbeat like he does.
His post wasn’t a eulogy. It was a challenge to reflect, refocus, and demand more from the systems surrounding our athletes. It was a reminder that no program, no matter how decorated, is immune to decline without direction.
This Wasn’t About the Athletes
This conversation isn’t about criticizing our athletes. Far from it. I’ve spent the last 50 years cheering for them, mentoring them, and calling their races with immense pride. I have always been one of their biggest supporters.
But both Michael and I, along with many others in the sport, are saying what’s becoming harder to ignore: the structure guiding USA Swimming is not functioning as it should. And if we don’t address that now, we risk losing the very culture of excellence that built this legacy in the first place.
Our athletes are showing up. They’re giving their all. This is about making sure the system behind them is doing the same.
This Is Bigger Than One Meet
Yes, this team battled illness. Jason Knapp and I acknowledged that on air throughout the World Championships. These athletes pushed through brutal illnesses, halfway around the world, and still managed to shine.
Team USA won the overall medal count and the gold medal count. That should absolutely be recognized and celebrated. But we can’t confuse medals with long-term health. A strong performance doesn’t mean there aren’t deeper structural issues under the surface.
If we only measure success by the scoreboard, we may miss the warning signs that could hurt us down the road. This isn’t about one meet. It’s about a growing vacuum at the top of our sport’s leadership.
No CEO. No Direction. No Time to Waste.
USA Swimming has now gone a full year without a Chief Executive Officer. That’s not just a delay, it’s a leadership void. And with LA 2028 approaching fast, time is not on our side.
There are passionate, hardworking people inside USA Swimming doing their best. I want to recognize the efforts of the new National Team Director, and give full credit to Coach Greg Meehan for leading under truly challenging conditions in Singapore.
But these athletes are being asked to operate without a clear vision, without permanent leadership, and without the support structure they need to thrive.
That’s not fair to them. It’s not fair to the athletes. And it’s not fair to the sport.
Our Clubs. Our Coaches. Our Culture.
Across the country, our clubs are the backbone of American swimming and they are developing world-class talent every day in and out of the pool. The athletes are doing their job. The coaches are delivering. They haven’t failed. But the system that’s supposed to support them? That’s another story.
If we don’t give these coaches, athletes, and staff the direction and resources they deserve, we risk losing the very culture that’s made Team USA the gold standard in global swimming.
If You’re on That Board — It’s Time to Lead
If you serve on the USA Swimming Board, this moment is in your hands. Ask yourself, honestly: is this where we need to be? If not, then lead. Transparently. Boldly. Now. Leadership isn’t just about managing. It’s about inspiring. Setting a course. Owning the moment.
Michael Phelps — Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
This Isn’t About Michael — It’s About the Moment
Michael and I have talked almost daily over the past year, not about headlines, but about the future of this sport. About how we can protect what’s been built and help take it to the next level.
Michael didn’t post that message for attention. He has nothing to gain by speaking out. He did it because he cares deeply. Because he’s not willing to watch this sport drift.
Neither am I. We didn’t go public lightly. But the time for silence is over. This isn’t about drama or finger-pointing. It’s about accountability. It’s about urgency. It’s about doing right by the next generation.
Let Me Be Clear
Much has been made of a word I used in an AP interview, entitlement. I understand how it might have been misinterpreted, so let me clarify: I wasn’t criticizing our athletes. I was talking about a mindset, one that for decades, came with wearing the Stars and Stripes.
It wasn’t arrogance. It was belief. Belief that Team USA would always rise to the moment, because we had for so long.
I had that mindset in 1984. But the world has changed. The rest of the world has caught up. Many of the best swimmers in the world now train right here in the U.S. That’s not something to fear. It’s something to embrace and respond to. Because if we want to stay on top, we’ll need to evolve, adapt, and lead again.
LA 2028: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment
I know what a home Olympics feels like. I lived it in 1984, standing atop the podium in Los Angeles. That moment shaped my life in ways I will be eternally grateful for.
Most athletes never get that opportunity. Even Michael didn’t. This generation will, but only once. We can’t afford to squander it. We owe it to them and to every kid on the edge of their neighborhood pool watching with wide eyes and big dreams.
It’s Not Too Late But the Clock Is Ticking
We can fix this. But not with spin. Not with delay. And not by staying quiet. It’s going to take leadership, unity, and the courage to act.
This message isn’t about drama or division. It’s about urgency. And it’s going to take all of us — athletes, coaches, fans, parents and yes, even the media — to push for better. We need every voice if we’re going to protect what’s been build and take it to the next level.
If you care about the future of swimming, talk to your local leaders, board reps and clubs. Ask the hard questions. Demand better. Our athletes deserve it.
How about something positive about the team? I do recall Rowdy saying over and over that Summer was going to win the 800 free. Wait. He was wrong about who was going to win that race. I don’t see any one of the three stepping up to take the job. It is easy to criticize, but I didn’t think that those three took the easy route.
I agree that Michael has a lot of wisdom. Lead and not criticize.
Okay Rowdy. Thanks for clarifying. Posting that meme was nothing but a knee jerk cheap shot out of frustration. Same with calling whoever you think you called Entitled. The Voice of our sport should be able to do better to articulate whatever you are trying to articulate. Which is what? This piece lacks any substance at all. Where are the problems? List them. What are some solutions perhaps? In your opinion. Same for Phelps. Forget Lochte. Lost cause. If the National coach is great, the Team Director is great, the clubs are developing swimmers well, the swimmers are working hard ( they do ) and the competition to make any team is fierce ( it is ) what are the problems that need to be solved? By whom? I suggest you and Phelps sit down together and make a roadmap of what needs to be done, based on your combined vast experience in the sport. That might be helpful. You’re welcome!!
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It was a childish meme, Rowdy. It was sent out at the wrong time during an important meet. The swimmers had the right to think that it was directed at them. Both of these 40 year old MEN should have apologized to the team. Instead Phelps takes another sarcastic shot at Lilly King.
Please stop kissing the ring.